Here's Dick Powell as Richard Diamond, private detective.
Hello there, my name's Diamond. If you spotted me on the street, you'd probably figure me for an
average working man, but you'd be wrong. I fit the description all right because I break my back six
days a week to keep my piggy bank nice and stuffed. But my occupation puts me in a class by myself.
I'm a private honey nothing in this world but detective. You probably say,
so what the average working man comes under the heading of a lot of different jobs,
and you'd be right on that count. But there's one little thing that puts me in the class all by
myself, trouble. Mr. and Mrs. Average John Doe work six days a week to keep clear of it. I put in the
same time playing footsies with it. It's a kind of silent partner with references dating all the way
back to the year one. People get in trouble every second and I count on a small percentage to come
to me to get them out of it. The rest, odds and good advertising. As an example, take the other
night in a little bistro over on 48th Street. A couple of guys sitting at a back table were
getting set for a special brand of trouble. The big kind that you find under the heading of murder.
Oh bird old boy, this is turning out to be a wonderful evening. I'm glad you're enjoying it George.
Yes. Hey, who's a blonde over there in the booth? I've never seen her before but she's cute.
Yeah, she sure is. Good evening baby. George, George, take it easy. Maybe she's waiting for
someone. Oh don't be silly. Look she's smiling. Let's ask her over to the table. I still think
she's waiting for someone. If you want to take the chance, go ahead you ask her. All right I will.
I said good evening. Good evening. My friend and I noticed you were sitting alone and we
wondered if you'd join us. Oh I don't believe I can. You see. Oh please, just for a few drinks?
No really. Thank you, just the same. Well if you say so but I'll be unhappy for the rest of the evening.
Hi baby. Tony. I'm sorry I took so long. Hey who's this guy? Not Tony. I said who's the guy?
If you'll excuse me. No you wait a minute. George, come on I think we'd better leave. This guy a
friend of yours? Yes he is. Was this guy making a pitch name? No, he only asked me over for a drink.
Oh he did huh? Now wait a minute pal. Please I made a mistake. I'm sorry. So you made a mistake.
Well I don't like jokers that try and pick up my girls. Hey wait a minute. You didn't have to slug
them. Maybe you'd like to do something about it. Maybe I would. That's the first time Tony ended up on
the short end of a fight in a long time. You all right George? Yes I think I cut my head. Yeah you're bleeding
all over the place. You better get out of here mister. I saw the manager duck in the back room.
He's probably calling the cops. Here let me give you a hand George. Here now take my hat and wear it over the
cut until you get home. I'm getting out here too. You want me to drop you off? What about your boyfriend?
He's still unconscious. He was that way when I met him. He wants a lift or not? Yeah what about you
Bird? Oh I'll be all right. Now go on let her take you somewhere so you can get cleaned up. I'll grab a
cab and head for my place. I'll call you in the morning. But I don't want to. Now stop arguing you can't afford a scandal.
All right. Come on honey let's go.
Well this very nice apartment. You better go get cleaned up. Back to that room. I'll get a couple of drinks.
I can sure use a drink. That won't be long. Take your time.
Yes. Tony get out of here. Where is that guy? Come on get out of here. Why you cheap little.
I'll beat it out of you. Let go of me. It can't stop me. You take your hands off her. I'll kill the both of you.
Help. There's a gun in the desk. A gun? All right. I'll wring your little neck.
All right I'll wring your little neck. You shot him. I did? You better get out of here.
Yeah but what about you? Go on get out while you can. I'll think of something. Yes. Leave the gun.
I'll throw it in the river or something. All right. Now go on beat it. You just killed a man.
Yeah come in. Hi Mr. Diamond. Well Hennessy what did you do? Wreck your cab?
Nah it's down in the front. Hey that's a war magazine you're reading there. Yeah listen to
what it says here about women's bathing suits. Huh? 1949 suits allow maximum exposure to sun.
Note plunging neckline. Note. Who's gonna miss it? If it plunges in the lorid wind up at the bends.
Yeah. Mr. Diamond would you mind shoving it in the drawer? The picture distracts me.
Not at all. I don't blame you Hennessy. Thanks. Now what's on your mind? This. A hat? Yeah.
Well I don't think I can do you much good. What did you bring to me for? I found it in the gutter
over in Flatbush. So what? Some guy loses a hat. Don't tell me you want me to find him. No I just
got to worrying a little you see. I found this beside. Oh or 38. Well let's have a look. Take a
look at the hat too. It's got blood all over the inside. Yeah and initials on the inside. BK.
Gun's been fired. You can still smell the powder in the barrel.
Why didn't you take this to the police? Oh I didn't want to get mixed up in it. You see I got to pick
up as many fares as I can. I ain't got nobody to drive my cab for me and I didn't want to spend a
day answering questions down at headquarters. You understand? Well you'll probably have to anyway.
I'll have to notify them. Yeah? Well I thought maybe you could find out who owned the hat and
maybe solve the case before you notify him you see. That way I wouldn't have to spend too much time.
I could just tell him I found it and beat it. Well I can't withhold evidence. It'd take away my
license and if you did they'd lock you up. Okay I just thought. Well I can check the hat store before
I get to the fifth precinct. Yeah well won't that be a tough job? There's a lot of hat stores. This
hat's got a label. Besides when someone finds a bloody hat with a 38 lying next to it I get
interested. Particularly when there isn't a corpse to go with it. Yeah well I gotta go Mr. Diamond.
Thanks a lot. You got a free ride anytime you want it. I may take up on that. So long Hennessy.
Well there you are. What did I tell you? When you're working with trouble something always shows up.
Sometimes it's just a routine case. A guy knocks off his wife and he comes to you because he
suddenly found out that he had that lonely feeling. Or maybe you get a real screwy one.
A taxidermist that got tired of stuffing animals and went to work on a neighbor.
Or then you get one that gives you the same feeling you get when you pick up a poker hand
and the first four cards you look at are all spades. Well I was holding two cards. A hat with
blood on it. A gun that had been fired and all I needed to fill out the hand was a body.
By all rights I should have taken the evidence right down to my friend Lieutenant Levinson at
homicide. But I didn't have anything to do so I decided to see what kind of pieces I could fit
into the puzzle. The label in the hat was from a store on Fifth Avenue. It wasn't far from my
office so I walked it. Yes sir something I can do for you. Yeah stop munching your sense in and tell
me if this hat is from your store. Well let me see it. These glasses are not telescopes you know.
Yeah here. Well if you're planning to return this merchandise sir I can assure you the store will
not accept it. You've been bleeding on the sweatband. Look Rosebud I just want to know if the hat is
from this store. It most certainly is. It's one of our custom models. Who did you sell it to? If you
found this hat we will be glad to return it to its owner. We are not supposed to give out the names
of our clients. I have a small badge here that should cut this conversation down to a few words.
See oh now would you mind telling me to whom did you sell this hat. Well just because you're a
detective I am not impressed. However under the circumstances I'll give you the buyer's name.
You're a real sport. I suppose you wear a shoulder holster too or is that bulge your tailor's fault.
I really keep a midget in there. You don't say. Yeah he spits through the lapel stupid hat clerks.
Oh really. Now come on bright eyes who bought the hat. Well if you'll just hold your horses.
That's the new line if I ever heard one. Come on bubbles.
Here it is. This hat was sold to a Mr Bertram Kalmas. We make all his hats for him. Well believe
for you what's his address. 430 Sutton Place. Now will that be all sir. Yes that will be all and
thank you. You've been a bric for the whole ugly mess. I left him watering his gardenia and headed
for the residence of one Mr Bertram Kalmas. The apartment house was about 10 blocks away and with
the money I had in my pocket all taxi cabs started looking like iron claws with four wheels. I walked.
Yes. How do you mean that. Yes I don't want any. Oh and I've got a pretty good sales talk. I never
buy anything unless I have a demonstration. My middle name is Semper Paratus. Like the coast
guard I'm always prepared. I suppose I could top that but I'm getting tired of trying to close the
door on your foot. What is it you want. I hate to admit it but I'm looking for Bertram Kalmas.
My husband. Good for him. Is he in. No but he will be any minute. And for the boss. This hat I believe
is his. What blondes apartment did it turn up in. It was found in the gutter in Flatbush. Well Flatbush
is a little out of his territory but the gutter sounds familiar. What's that stain all over it.
Blood. Does your husband bleed a lot. Not recently we've been getting along. Are you from the police.
I'm a detective. I'd hate to be selling brushes. I'd have slammed the door on your face. Oh wow
then I made an impression. Let's just say you're waiting for a sacrifice to move you to second base.
Won't you sit down. Thanks. What happens when I round third. That depends on your batting average.
Diamond. Mrs. Kalmas. That's it. Now getting back to a very dull subject does this hat belong to your
husband. I don't know it looks like one of his. Has it got any initials on the band. BK. When did
you find it. I didn't the cab driver picked it up this morning. It isn't my husband's blood.
That's about a half an hour ago to do some shopping and it was very bloodless. No cuts on his head.
No cuts. He came in around two this morning. He's been drinking but he wasn't caught up.
Oh there he is now. I hope he can discuss baseball. I got all the things you wanted in it.
This is Mr. Diamond. He's a detective. Yeah. Well how are you. Fine Mr. Kalmas. Tell me is this
your hat. My hat. Let me see it. Why no no it isn't. The hat store on Fifth Avenue says it's older
to you. Well I can't help what they say. That's not my hat. Are you sure darling. It was found in a
gutter. I don't care if they found it on a Yale man in the Harvard club. It's not mine. Well I guess
I'll have to take your word for it. Wait. Wait. Isn't that blood on the hat. No. No goodbye Mrs. Kalmas.
Mr. Kalmas nice meeting you both. I'll see you to the door. I can do it. I know you can dear.
Coming Mr. Diamond. Sure. Goodbye. Back again. Well goodbye Mr. Kalmas. Where where can I call you.
What. I can't explain now. Where can I call you in about a half an hour. My office. It's in the book.
You'll hear from me but please please don't do anything until then. Okay half an hour.
Then I go to the police with this hat.
What. Mr. Diamond this is Bert Kalmas. Yeah. Yes I couldn't say anything to you in front of my wife.
That is my hat. Well I thought so. Why did you deny it. Well I was out with a pal last night.
There was a fight over a girl. I didn't want to mention it in front of my wife. How did the blood
get on the hat. My friend got hit on the head and I loaned him my hat to cover up the wound.
What was it doing in a gutter in Flatbush. I really don't know. My friend left with the girl and I went
right home. Well who is this friend of yours. I think something may have happened to him. Well I
called him this morning and he seemed very nervous about something and he asked me to come over.
I'm in the lobby of this hotel right now. Ah he's probably just worried about the girl he picked up.
As long as the blood on the hat was from a cut on his head I don't think there's too much to worry
about. No no Mr. Diamond I think it's more than that. He's my employer and I know him pretty well.
I do wish you'd come over. Well all right Mr. Kalmas what's the address. The Whitsett Hotel on East 54th Street.
I'll meet you in the lobby.
Don't ask me why I started getting that lousy feeling when all I had was a bloody hat a gun
and a pretty good explanation for one of the items. But there it was that jammed up feeling in the pit
of my stomach like I just swallowed a whole pineapple. Something was wrong and I wanted to
find out what. So I hurried over to the Whitsett Hotel and met Kalmas in the lobby. I'm glad you
came Mr. Diamond. I just put in a call to George's room and someone else answered. So what.
Well the man asked a lot of questions like who I was and why I. What did I want with George and.
Oh I take it George is your friend of last night. Yes George Watkins he's the president of the firm
I work for. Well let's go up and someone starts asking questions like that on the phone it begins
to sound like the police have moved in. Come on. Yeah no hello all Rick what are you doing here.
Fair question I'll answer yours if you'll do the same for me I came up to see you Mr. George
Watkins so did I what's the matter is George in some kind of trouble who is this guy who is a
friend of Watkins works for him oh yeah well come on in. George George what's going on here you
better let the lieutenant tell you Bert I can't think anymore what's the charge walk murder.
Murder you got a call from a girl last night who said a man named George Watkins killed someone
in her apartment and we got over there we found a girl dead too oh well you must have the right
man inspector George Lieutenant and I'm sure you think George wouldn't but he just confessed.
George yes Bert I killed the man but I didn't kill her the man came in and tried to strangle
her she told me to get the gun in the drawer and when the man wouldn't let her go I shot him that
isn't what the girl told us she said she took this gun home at this guy home after he'd been in a
fight and when they got to her apartment he made a pass just as her boyfriend came in.
Then Watkins shot him and ran out we figure he got excited and when he had time to think about it he
went back and killed the only other witness I didn't kill the girl I never went back there at all I
came straight here. Now Walt Mr. Calmas here was with him up until the time he left with the girl
is that right Mr. Calmas why yes sir now there was a previous fight and Watkins got that cut on his
head Mr. Calmas loaned him his hat to cover the wound that's right sir and uh oh by the way Walt
what caliber was that? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't
know. By the way Walt what caliber was the murder weapon? 38 but we haven't found the gun yet.
Here check this one with ballistics. How'd you find this? Cab driver named Hennessy brought it into
me this morning found it lying with a hat. Do you ever see this gun before Watkins? No I I told you
I don't own a gun. Walt what time do you figure he killed the man and the girl? The coroner fixed the
time of death about one o'clock this morning. How long were you at this girl's apartment Mr. Watkins?
Why about five minutes before her boyfriend came in I shot him and left immediately. And you don't
remember taking your hat or the gun? What are you getting at Rick? This is an open and shut case.
He admits killing one of them but he won't admit the other killing because he knows it was
premeditated. Oh just a hunch Walt just a hunch. Mr. Watkins would you mind telling me just what
happened after the girl's boyfriend started choking him? Well I grabbed the gun out of the
dresser near the kitchen and I shot him and the girl told me to get out that she'd take care of
things so I dropped the gun and ran. Did you hear anything else anything unusual? No but yes now that
you mention it I did hear something but it slipped my mind until now. What did you hear? Well I I
don't know whether I can describe it or not. It sounded like someone had opened a bottle of flat
champagne. What are you getting at Rick? Oh wait a minute Walt when did you hear this noise? Right
after I shot the man. I remember wondering if someone hadn't opened a bottle in the kitchen.
Is that where the noise came from? Ah yes I think so. All right if I go over and case the scene Walt.
We've done that. Yeah but you weren't looking for something. Why don't you come with me Mr.
Kalmas I'd like to talk with you. What's the address Walt? 16 West 113th Street. Now look
don't worry too much George. I can handle the business and in the meantime I'll do everything
to get you off. Thanks Bert. Now you wait a minute Rick if you think you know something. Walt. Yeah?
Bye.
Kalmas and I went downstairs and took a cab over to 16 West 113th Street.
It was a middle class apartment house in Flatbush. A four story brownstone. I let Kalmas pay the
fare and we went in. Now what are what floor it's on? Well should tell on the mailboxes.
Yeah here it is Nan Phillips 206. Well let's go up.
Oh uh what do you do for Mr. Watkins? I'm his vice president. That's why I took him out last night.
I wanted to interest him in a new account. I just can't imagine him killing anyone but
I guess people do funny things when they lose their heads. Now 206. Oh here it is.
Yeah? Hello. Oh no. Good afternoon Sergeant Otis. What do you want Diamond? I want to stand out here
in the hall and count the hairs in your five o'clock shadow. Now let us in. The lieutenant said it was
all right. Okay comic. Mr. Kalmas meet Sergeant Otis. How are you? Hello Sergeant. Otis make like a
policeman and point out the circumstances in this killing will you? Well I don't know why I should
Chalmers but if the lieutenant sends you over I guess he'll have to. Two bodies was over there
by the window. Lined pretty close together. The killer that Watkins fella was standing about here
in the center of the room. With his back to the kitchen door. Yeah he shot them both from about here.
Hey what are you looking for? Oh I like to get out on my hands and knees. It's cooler. And it won't
do you no good to start looking for fancy clues. The guy already confessed. Well well well well.
Hey what you got there? Just a wad. So you got some wadding from the murder gun. You better give it here.
Sure but hang on to it Otis and be sure to give it to the lieutenant. Maybe you have another
notice but murder guns don't throw this much wadding unless you can kill someone with a blank
cartridge. Why? Don't let it throw you. Mr. Kalmas I've got some things to do. Can I drop you
somewhere? Well no thanks now that Mr. Watkins can't take care of the office I better go down
and check over some things but I'll keep in touch with you Mr. Diamond. You do that. Now wait a
minute Diamond. Oh stop trying to figure it out Otis. You'll snap your wig. I was getting close to
something. I wanted to tie the ends together before it caught up with me. I had a big fat hunch that
Watkins had been framed good and the more I found out the more it looked like a killer was still
loose. The whole setup had been screwy from the first. Why would a guy lose his hat and drop his
gun in the same place? Or if he threw them both away why wouldn't he burn the hat and throw the
gun in the river? Nobody's frightened enough to lay them side by side in the gutter. I learned a lot
since this morning and I was certain of one thing. The killer tried to make it look good but he was
an awful amateur. I knew something else too. Amateurs can be awfully mean sometimes when you
corner them. I put in a call to Walt and told him what I had and then I asked him to give me half an
hour and meet me at Mrs. Calmas's flat. I grabbed another cab and 20 minutes later I was sitting on
a long couch next to Mrs. Calmas. It's easy to get that crowded feeling even on a long couch.
You just both sit on the same cushion.
Comfy. Oh yeah. What kind of perfume is that? My sin. Past or future tense? A rounding second.
We brought you back, Mrs. Diamond. Oh I uh, I want to ask a couple of questions.
Past or future tense? What time did your husband get in last night? I told you about two o'clock.
Why? Do you know if he knows a girl named Nan Phillips? I really don't know. Oh no,
I'm just a few more questions and then we'll get back to that perfume. I'll think of it.
You said you'd been getting along with your husband. Would you mind explaining that?
Certainly I like nice things and Nate and he's been buying them for me. What's your husband's
salary? About 15,000 a year. Oh. Do they afford to buy you these things? He told me he was getting a
raise and he'd gotten a big advance. What's this all about? Maybe I'd better tell you. Bert,
I didn't hear you. I did. What are you doing with that gun? I'm going to use it. I found Mr. Diamond
making passes at my wife and I shot him. Are you crazy? Don't ask him that. He's allowed to
start thinking about it. You can't shoot me and get away with it, Kalmas. What are you gonna do
with your wife? She won't back you up. No, no I guess she wouldn't. You know, I'm not going to
back you up. No, no I guess she wouldn't. All right, both of you get up and walk downstairs to my car.
Bert, what are you doing? Your husband killed two people last night, Mrs. Kalmas. Now he's
going to try and cover because he guessed I knew how it was done. You're not going to kill me too.
It's moving. Bert, please. Go on. Better do as he says.
Why did you kill anyone, Bert? He wanted to frame his boss. I'll bet when the company
checks they'll find out he's had his hand in the till. They won't find out, Mr. Diamond.
With Mr. Watkins' book for murder, I'm next in line for president. I'll be able to fix the book so it
will look like he took the money too. Is that where you got the money for all those things you've been
buying from me? You shot the man and the girl from the kitchen with a silencer, didn't you, Bertram?
That's right. I knew you were on to something when you discovered that wad from the blank cartridge.
I was on to something a long time before that. Yeah? All right, come on. Over to that gray sedan and
remember I've still got this gun in my pocket. Ah, you're an amateur, Bertram. Is that right? Sure.
I knew you had something to do with it when we got over to the girl's apartment.
I didn't know what floor it was on and you looked in the mailboxes. That's the best way to find an
apartment, isn't it? Yeah, but not once at any time did anyone mention the dead girl's name. But you
knew it and found it on the mailbox. All right, stop right here. Open the door, Gene, and get in first.
The front seat. Bert, please. Get in. All right. Now you, Mr. Diamond, you're going to drive.
You know, I left my license in my other suit. Stop stalling.
I had to do something to stall for just a second because over Bertram's shoulder I spotted a prowl
car sliding up to the curb and a good old Walt was climbing out. Uh, Bertram, would you mind
answering just one question? What is it? The gun that Watkins thought he killed the man with was
loaded with blanks, wasn't it? Sure. I killed the guy from the kitchen with a silencer. The whole
thing was rigged, huh? The man and the girl were supposed to stage that fight and Watkins was
supposed to shoot the guy with the dummy slug. You said one question. Now get in the car. All right,
Thomas, don't move. What? Why, you... Just break... That was a close one. You're so right, Walt. Take
his gun. I think you'll find it's the one that Watkins fired the blanks from. How is he? On his way.
Hey, Bertram. I'll go call the wagon. Bertram. Yes. You want to tie the ends together?
I paid the girl and the man to stage the fight. I told them I wanted to frame George
and blackmail him. So you framed him with a double murder instead. Why? I've been stealing money
from the company. How'd you know it was me? Well, knowing the girl's name for one thing,
and your wife told me you'd gotten in about two. You told me over the phone you went straight home
after the fight in the cafe. The killing took place about one. Watkins said he'd been at the girls for
five minutes. About 15 to get to her place, so that meant you all left the cafe around 1230.
It doesn't take an hour and a half to get... Hey, Bertram. What's the matter?
Darling. I don't think Bert can hear you. Yeah. Well, it was a pretty dull story anyway.
Well, the wagon got there and I briefed Walt on everything that had happened.
They took Mrs. Kalmas home and released Watkins. It was a stinking hot afternoon and I needed
something cool to bring me down to normal, so I headed for 975 Park Avenue. A tall lemonade
with the mind of its own and a perversious redhead with the same gimmick. Yes. Oh, good afternoon,
Mr. Diamond. Afternoon, Frances. Miss Asherin? Yes, sir. She's in the study reading. Thanks,
Frances. Oh, how about something cool? Yes, sir. Right away, sir.
Hi. Hi. Wow, you look cool enough. That's a nice getup. You like it? It's the newest thing. Yeah,
I saw it in the magazine. What do you do if it shrinks? Oh, silly. No, no, I'm concerned.
You might get raided. Don't you like it? Yes, ma'am. What do you think of me? Oh, you're adorable.
Beautiful and you're cute. Hey, that sounds like a song. Mm-hmm. Come here. No, not nothing. It's
cute. That's too hot. I'm rather cool. Well, I was only lukewarm until I spotted that play suit.
Go on. A, you're adorable. Okay, but then I want to play. Get it? Play. Play suit. That was then.
Oh, yeah, I didn't know. Go on. A, you're adorable. B, you're so beautiful. C, you're a cutie full of
charm. D, you're a darling. And E, you're exciting. And F, you've got feathers on your... Oh, Rick.
D, you look good to me. H, you're so heavenly. I, you're the one I hide all eyes. J, we're like Jack and
Jill. K, you're so kissable. L, there's the love life in your eyes. Rick. Mm-hmm. Do you want me to finish?
I love you. Oh, you're sweet. Come here. Mm-hmm. Just one moment, sir. Yes, Frances? I'm not going to
be embarrassed again. Here's your lemonade. Oh, thank you, Frances. Oh, it's nothing, sir. A,
you're adorable. B, you're so beautiful. You have just heard Richard Diamond, Private Detective,
starring Dick Powell. Helen was played by Virginia Gregg, Lieutenant Levinson by Ed Begley.
Also in our cast were Wilms Herbert, Byron Cain, Loreen Tuttle, Paul Fries, and Wally Mayer. Music
was under the direction of Frank Worth. Richard Diamond is written by Blake Edwards and directed
by William P. Rousseau. Now, this is Eddie King inviting you to be with us again at the same time
next week when we will again bring you Dick Powell as Richard Diamond, Private Detective.
Thank you.
This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.